RØDE has today unveiled a bold new look for its acclaimed Wireless Micro, now available in three vibrant colours – red, orange, and blue – in addition to classic black and white. This striking new range gives creators the freedom to express their individuality, adding a splash of colour to their stories told through world-class wireless audio.

“These vivid new colours mark yet another milestone in the evolution of the world’s best-in-class microphone,” said Damien Wilson, CEO of RØDE. “The Wireless Micro has always been about making professional audio accessible, and now creators can showcase both their signature sound and style with the same award-winning system. A wave of colour is about to wash over the world of content creation, and RØDE is at the crest. Watch this space.”

Available in USB-C configuration, the release of the new coloured range follows a significant 33% price drop, making the Wireless Micro available for just US$99. This move underscores RØDE’s mission to democratise professional audio, ensuring that every creator has access to premium technology. Creators also enjoy enhanced features like Direct Connect, which enables transmitters to pair wirelessly with iOS devices via Bluetooth® using the RØDE Capture app.

A testament to RØDE’s unwavering commitment to putting creators first, the recently released Wireless Micro Camera Receiver remains available as a compact on-camera accessory offered as a bonus inclusion for all Wireless Micro customers. The Camera Receiver provides the flexibility to seamlessly switch from smartphone to camera setups, delivering pristine wireless audio from casual shoots to professional productions.

Crowned Best Microphone of 2025 by Rolling Stone, the Wireless Micro is renowned for its ultra-compact form factor, intuitive operation, and pristine sound quality. With a pocket-sized charging case offering up to 21 hours of battery life, USB-C connectivity, Bluetooth® pairing for iOS, and a bonus Camera Receiver redeemable with purchase, the Wireless Micro now stands head and shoulders above the competition as the market’s most accessible, customisable, and creator-driven wireless system in its category. RØDE’s Wireless Micro ships worldwide and is available to purchase in red, orange, and blue for US$99.

By Srijith KN, Senior Editor

The Apple Watch Series 11 feels familiar on my wrist. It upholds the design philosophy centered on continuous wearability. At a slim depth of 9.7 mm, the profile remains consistent with its immediate predecessor, the Series 10. This lightness is paramount, specifically enabling the device to be worn comfortably 24 hours a day, a requirement for capturing the overnight and long-term health metrics that define this generation.

Same rounded-square silhouette, same slim profile, same 42 mm / 46 mm dial options. But that’s not a complaint, it’s a design that works. What’s changed are the refinements under the glass and behind the scenes that has resulted in a notably improved user experience.

Display & Durability: Subtle But Real

The new release continues to offer a choice between aluminum and the more premium titanium cases, catering to various user preferences for weight and durability. Let me start with what might sound basic, but matters every single day: the display glass.

Apple has treated the Ion-X glass on aluminum models with a new ceramic coating that bonds at the atomic level through physical vapor deposition, making it twice as scratch-resistant as the Series 10. I know that sounds like marketing speak, but here’s why it’s genuinely significant. It’s not just tougher glass; it’s peace of mind. You stop babying your watch and actually use it.

If you opt for the titanium model, you’re getting sapphire crystal instead, the most scratch and crack-resistant material you can put on a watch display. But honestly? The Ion-X glass closes the durability gap considerably, and at a more accessible price point. The Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED remains, but Apple has pushed it to 2,000 nits brightness, made the display borders 24 percent thinner and improved the viewing angles.

Battery Life: Official Numbers Undersell It

Here’s where Apple deserves genuine credit for listening. The Series 11 now offers up to 24 hours of battery life, a full six hours more than previous generations. My experience, however, suggests Apple’s figures are rather conservative. The larger 46 mm model routinely delivered between 40 and 43 hours of use in testing. It allowed me to get through a full day, track a full night of sleep, and still have a buffer for the next morning. And for a quick top-up, the fast-charge capability gets you to 80% in about 30 minutes, or a brief 5-minute charge provides enough juice for a night’s sleep tracking.

There’s also Low Power Mode, which stretches the battery to an official 38 hours time, which again is a very much conservative claim from Apple. I’m being realistic here, you won’t use it daily unless you’re the type who obsesses over battery percentages. But it’s genuinely useful for specific scenarios: overnight travel, a weekend hiking trip, or when you’re running late and forgot to charge overnight. You lose some fitness features and continuous health monitoring, but the core functionality remains. Although I never needed it, knowing it’s there was reassuring.

Fast charging provides eight hours of battery life in just 15 minutes, so a quick top-up while you shower is all you need. Is it multi-day for a heavy user usage? No. But 24 hours is the sweet spot where the watch becomes genuinely convenient rather than another device demanding consistent attention. And the Low Power Mode is your safety net when life gets unpredictable.

5G: More Than a Spec Bump

I was skeptical about 5G on a watch. How much data are you really downloading on your wrist? Turns out, quite a bit; and the difference is noticeable. The Series 11 features an upgraded cellular antenna covering more bands, and can simultaneously engage both system antennas when needed, significantly increasing signal strength. Translation: music streams without stuttering, and podcast episodes are downloaded in seconds instead of minutes.

The real win is reliability. The dual-antenna system on the Series 11 maintains a connection in places. I travel frequently, and this means stronger, more stable coverage, validating the Watch’s role as an indispensable safety device and a reliable lifeline when I intentionally leave my iPhone behind.

Hypertension Monitoring: A Potential Life-Saver

The Apple Watch uses its optical heart sensor to quietly track how your blood vessels respond to each heartbeat, running an algorithm in the background over 30 days to look for signs of hypertension. I haven’t been wearing it long enough for that full 30-day cycle yet, so I haven’t seen any results. But once it’s had enough data, it’s supposed to alert you if it detects patterns that might point to chronic high blood pressure — basically telling you to double-check with a proper cuff and talk to your doctor.

watchOS 26: The Liquid Glass Era

The software deserves its own recognition. watchOS 26 introduces Liquid Glass, creating a vibrant, expressive experience across the Photos watch face, Smart Stack widgets, notifications, Control Center, and navigation. It’s a visual refresh that makes the watch feel premium and modern.

Two new standout features that I found the most attractive, useful and innovative:

Wrist Flick Gesture: My number one favorite new feature. I’ve come to love the new Wrist Flick gesture. It allows me to instantly dismiss notifications or silence alarms with a quick twist of the wrist. This isn’t a clumsy accelerometer trick; the Neural Engine uses machine learning to interpret “messy motion data” , so it knows the difference between an intentional flick and me just randomly moving my arm.

Smart Stack Hints: Think of them as little nudges from your watch. The right information or app suggestion pops up just when it might be useful. The Series 11 watches your routines, movement, location, and even sensor data, then predicts what you might need before you even ask for it.

The Ecosystem Advantage: Where Apple Watch Shines Brightest

It’s in day-to-day life that the Series 11 shines. Quick glances at the wrist replace phone-checking rituals. Notifications feel natural rather than disruptive, and built-in GPS means workouts don’t tether you to your iPhone. Cycling, walking, or even scootering, the Watch feels like a personal assistant that anticipates needs without demanding attention. 

Should You Buy/Upgrade?

If you own a Series 10: Probably skip it unless 5G and longer battery life address specific pain points for you. The improvements are meaningful but might seem incremental for you.

If you own a Series 6, 7, 8, or 9: This is a substantial upgrade. The display durability, battery life, 5G connectivity, and new health features justify the upgrade; especially if you’re bothered by battery anxiety or accumulated scratches.

If you’re new to Apple Watch: The Series 11 is the most refined, capable, and user-friendly version Apple has made. At 1,599 AED, (the titanium model starts at 2,799 AED) it’s a meaningful investment, that pays dividends daily if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

Pricing & Color Options

Aluminum – Available in Space Gray (New), Silver (New), Rose Gold and Jet Black

42 mm (GPS) – AED 1,599                                     46 mm (GPS) – AED 1,719
42 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 1,999                    46 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 2,119

Titanium – Available in Natural, Gold and Slate

42 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 2,799                    46 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 2,999

Today, CMF announced the launch of the CMF Headphone Pro, its first set of over-ear ANC Headphones. The new CMF Headphone Pro brings a pop of color to the legacy over-ear Headphones Category. The headphone is the earliest of personal audio, and today CMF reimagines this legacy category to bring the beauty of cutting edge engineering in a wonderfully designed form factor that is sure to bring joy and smile to the faces of anyone who gets to play around with it. CMF brings a touch of true personalisation, starting from the customisable cushion design to the Intuitive on-device controls and sound personalisation using the Nothing X app.

Remix Everything with CMF Headphone Pro
Headphone Pro features a unique modular design which brings both the beauty of modern playful aesthetics with the three fun colorways, Light Grey, Dark Grey and Light Green, but adds on to the modularity with swappable ear cushions that can allow users to completely change the look of their headphones and to customise sound according to their personal needs. What makes the Headphone Pro truly standalone are the intuitive controls on the headphones. The feeling of physical buttons that respond to your actions is irreplaceable, and hence we’ve implemented that on the CMF Headphone Pro in the shape of a Roller that helps control volume, ANC, and Play and Pause. Along with this comes for the very first time an Energy Slider which helps you switch between varying levels of Bass and Treble that can be adjusted based on the energy of the song that you’re listening to. These along with a customisable Button makes the CMF Headphone Pro a truly unique visual and tactile experience.

It brings Active Noise Cancellation implemented with a comfortable seal and highly power efficient chip. The Hybrid ANC brings up to 40dB of noise cancellation. CMF’s engineering teams have implemented adaptive noise cancellation that detects the level of ambient noise and adjusts ANC accordingly to provide the best experience.

CMF Headphone Pro brings high fidelity sound in the palm of your hands, with a custom-made 40mm driver along with Hi-res and LDAC. The whole setup is powered by custom-made 40mm Nickel Plated Drivers providing a high-fidelity, low distortion listening experience. CMF Headphone Pro also brings Personal Sound that adapts itself to each individual’s ear canal shape to provide a truly personalised experience.

CMF’s engineering teams have attained an incredible feat with the CMF Headphone Pro, bringing an unparalleled power efficiency to the battery. The Headphone Pro can provide up to 100 hours of playback on a single charge. Allowing for a worry-free listening experience that can last for days on end.

Modular Design
Interchangeable Cushions
CMF Headphone Pro brings personalisation to the forefront with interchangeable ear cushions that lets every listener make it truly their own. More than just a functional detail, this design transforms headphones into an extension of the user’s personality – giving them the freedom to adapt colours, reflect moods, and create a look that’s uniquely theirs.

Tactile Controls
Headphone Pro puts precision at your fingertips with intuitive, responsive controls. The Energy Slider lets you shape sound in real time, adjusting between bass and treble levels to match your mood. The Roller makes volume, playback, and noise control seamless with simple scrolls and presses. And with a customisable Button, you can access features like Spatial Audio or one touch access to AI instantly – smart control designed around you.

Immersive listening
Hybrid Adaptive ANC
Hybrid Adaptive ANC automatically adjusts to your surroundings, shifting between three levels of noise control. With up to 40 dB noise reduction it cuts chatter and everyday distractions so every detail comes through with clarity and comfort, all while reducing listening fatigue.

Spatial Audio
Spatial Audio makes movies and music feel more real by surrounding you with sound. Cinema mode widens the stage for clear dialogue and effects, while Concert mode brings the depth and energy of live music.

Precision Sound
LDAC + Hi-Res Certified Audio
Stream music in high resolution, wired or wireless. LDAC ensures highest fidelity Bluetooth audio up to 990 kbps, and dual Hi-Res certifications ensure consistent clarity and precision across formats. Every note sounds detailed and true.

40mm Custom Drivers
CMF Headphone Pro uses 40 mm drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms for reduced distortion and sharper clarity. A 16.5 mm copper voice coil, precision bass duct, and dual-chamber design deliver deeper, fuller sound with rich texture and punch.

Personal Sound
Everyone hears differently – not just in preference, but in the way each individual’s ear canal is shaped and their hearing sensitivities affect sound perception. That’s why CMF Headphone Pro uses Audiodo technology to build a Personal Sound profile unique to you.

100 Hour battery
Headphone Pro delivers up to 100 hours of playback and up to 50 hours of talk time on a single charge. Even with ANC on, you’ll get up to 50 hours of playback, giving you long-lasting performance without interruptions.

Charge on the go
A quick 5-minute charge gives up to 4 hours of listening, while a full recharge takes under 2 hours via USB-C. You can even top up directly from your smartphone on-the-go, simply connect your smartphone with the CMF headphone pro using a type-c to type-c cable, keeping Headphone Pro ready with zero downtime.

Price & Availability:
CMF Headphone Pro will be available in three color variants, Dark Grey, Light Green, and Light Grey for AED/ SAR 369 in all key retail partners such as SharafDG, Jumbo, Jarir Bookstore, Lulu Hypermarket, Al Haddad and many more.